THE GOOSE CREEK RESTORATION
PROJECT
IT BEGINS WITH A PROBLEM
Increased
siltation has been identified as a problem in Goose Creek by
the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
Siltation diminishes aquatic habitat and alters stream flow
patterns. Run off from roads, parking lots, high impact
agriculture practices, and other developments carries
sediment and harmful pollutants into Goose
Creek.
THEN THE APPROACH TOWARDS A
SOLUTION
Representatives of the
town of Mountain City along with environmental specialists
from Brushy Fork Environmental
Consulting, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, and Natural
Resources Conservation Service recognized an opportunity to
address environmental problems at Ralph Stout Park and
improve Goose Creek’s water quality. The park’s high
visibility and community usage allowed the stream enhancement
project to be used as an educational experience for the
public as well.
ON TO THE ENGINEERING AND
DESIGN
During the summer of
2006, environmental specialists designed the project plans to
include installation of natural channel structures and to
establish native riparian buffers along the streambanks. The
natural channel structures are intended to decrease bank
erosion and enhance aquatic habitat by creating a riffle pool
sequence. The denseriparian buffers offer
long term stability to the streambanks and additional aquatic
habitat
THE PERMIT APPROVAL
PHASE
Following design, the
project entered the permitting phase through the Tennessee
Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the Tennessee Valley
Authority (TVA). These regulatory agencies issue permits for
stream restoration using Best Management Practices (BMP’s)
to stabilize streambank
erosion. Permits were applied for in March and issued in May
and June 2007.
THE CONSTRUCTION BEGINS
Construction began with
the installation of rock structures along degraded sections
of streambank. These structures consist of large boulders
keyed-in below water current depth, lined with geotextile
fabric, and backfilled with native materials. Other
rock structures were also installed in sections to establish
vertical stability, prevent lateral erosion, and create
aquatic habitat. Native plants were then planted as
additional protection against streambank
erosion.
THE RESULTS AND
BENEFITS
1.
Stabilized streambanks
2. Decreased erosion and
sedimentation
3. Established riffle-pool
sequence
4. Improved riparian and aquatic habitat
5.
Introduced native flora to streambanks
6.
Enhanced wetland and riparian areas
7.
Provided educational opportunities
8.
Filtered sediment
To claim this Earthcache find
you must complete the following
tasks.
First you must navigate to the posted
coordinates. These will take you to Ralph Stout Park in
beautiful Mountain City. You will have public access to the
parking areas, picnic tables, playgrounds and walking paths.
Your visit must be made during daylight hours. The location
is approximately 700 feet from parking area. The terrain is
extremely flat making it handicap accessible. At the
coordinates you will find a large sign that fully explains
the three types of rock structures that were crucial in the
success of this project. You must email me with the names of
the three rock structures that are explained on this sign.
Also include the amount of this rock material was harvested
from the local area. Finally, I am requiring that you take a
picture of yourself at the location and upload it to the
cache page. If you walk behind the sign, you will be standing
alongside of the creek. Here you can see an example of these
important anti-erosion structures at work. Enjoy the hunt,
the area, and the education...I certainly
did!